It was serendipity that I discovered Icelandic sheepdogs in 2007, and that year we added Betsy, who was 1 year old at that time, to our household. She became the arbiter of all things dog in the household. I still feel her presence even after her death at age 18 in February 2025.

In 2008, we imported Bjarkarkots Hroi Hottur from Iceland and he turned out to be a beautiful boy, who was very biddable and produced puppies beloved by their families. Tragically, he died at age 7 because of a brain tumor, but he was my heart dog and is in my thoughts on a daily basis, so I named my breeding program after him – Lukehaven Icelandic Sheepdogs.

In 2009 I founded the rescue organization for the breed, National Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue Alliance (NISRA) , and remain on the Board of Directors as a consultant. Icelandic Sheepdogs became my passion, and introduced me to people in Canada, Iceland, and Europe. These connections have enriched my life immensely.

I currently share my home with 4 adult Icelandic sheepdogs, ranging in age from 8 to 13 years old. When I walk my dogs in Lexington, there isn’t a day that people don’t stop to tell me how beautiful and friendly my dogs are. I was also a member of the Board of Directors of the Icelandic Sheepdog Association of America for several years.

I did have a professional life as a practicing Child, Adolescent, and Adult Psychiatrist, Chief of the Section of Child Psychiatry at Lahey Clinic, President of the New England Council of Child Psychiatry, Acting Chairman of the Dept. of Psychiatry at Lahey that was equally rewarding, but now in retirement, I am comforted by the Icelandic Sheepdogs who keep me company, and gaze straight into my eyes with such love.

“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” ― Jane Goodall

Jane Goodall’s lifelong devotion to wildlife conservation and her deep appreciation for the bonds that unite all living things have profoundly shaped my own philosophy. Her words remind me each morning that every choice we make—whether in business, in our communities, or in our homes—ripples outward. It’s this conviction that fuels my commitment to sustainability, ethical stewardship, and, most recently, to preserving the Icelandic Sheepdog breed for generations to come.

My professional background spans over thirty years, from leadership roles at global healthcare companies to owner and president of a digital marketing agency in Connecticut specializing in SEO, website development, conversion optimization, and AI-driven marketing. I hold an MBA, an MS, and an EdS in Computers and Education. Guiding organizations through digital transformation has honed my strategic mindset and reinforced my belief that purpose-driven leadership delivers the most enduring results.

My passion for the Icelandic Sheepdog began on my first visit to Iceland in 2017. Captivated by their joyful spirit and herding instincts, I vowed that my next dog would be an “Icie.” In December 2019, I brought home Raina, followed a year later by Freyja—both from renowned breeder Loren. Today, my household includes three Icelandic Sheepdogs, a Shih Tzu, and three rescue horses on our small farm. I’m a proud steward of Lukehaven Icelandic Sheepdogs and honored to carry forward Loren’s legacy in Connecticut—she remains actively involved in every aspect of our program.

Beyond the joy they bring, I view my role as a breeder and steward of this rare Nordic breed as a sacred responsibility. As an Approved Good Dog breeder, I health-test my dams, prioritize genetic diversity, and champion best practices in breeding for temperament and structure. Through Lukehaven, I aim to preserve the breed’s unique heritage and ensure that each puppy placed in a forever home thrives both physically and emotionally.

I’m also co-president of the National Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue Alliance (NISRA), a volunteer-driven 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2009 dedicated to preserving and protecting the legacy of this ancient and rare breed nationalicelandicsheepdogrescuealliance.org. Alongside a board comprised entirely of experienced Icelandic Sheepdog breeders, we oversee intake assessments, foster placements, and transport logistics; we vet and match adopters, coordinate sponsorships, and provide post-placement support to ensure lifelong welfare. Our rescue calendar and volunteer network enable us to respond swiftly when an Icie is in need—whether through rehoming a returned dog, providing temporary foster care, or offering guidance to owners facing difficult decisions.

When I’m not guiding businesses through digital transformation or supporting rescue operations, you’ll find me on my farm caring for three rescue horses or training my Icelandic Sheepdogs for agility trials. There’s something deeply rewarding about preparing my dogs (and myself!) to navigate challenging obstacle courses—each tunnel, weave pole, and teeter board showcases their intelligence, athleticism, and eagerness to please. These moments reinforce my belief that dedicated training and a strong human–canine bond are vital to the well-being of this spirited breed.

Whether crafting a new marketing campaign, collaborating with fellow breeders to rescue an Icie in need, or navigating my “Icies” through a complicated agility course, I strive every day to honor Jane Goodall’s legacy by making a positive, lasting impact—on my clients, on my community, and on the precious breed I am fortunate to help preserve.

Horses and dogs have consistently woven through the fabric of my life and professional career. As the owner, producer, and horse trainer for Swanson Productions LLC, and the founder of Red Horse Rescue, I have spent decades training horses in diverse disciplines such as dressage, eventing, jumping, and liberty, always prioritizing intuition and kindness. My expertise has provided horses and dogs for high-profile film, television, music videos, and print campaigns for clients including HBO, Apple TV, Paramount, Warner Bros., Ralph Lauren, Beyoncé, and Bad Bunny.

My introduction to Icelandic Sheepdogs began in 1996 with Dash, from a litter of imported dogs owned by a close friend. Dash’s character, athletic prowess, and charisma quickly captivated me, soon welcoming Blitzen, Comet, and Cupid to my farm family. I have since successfully bred multiple litters and maintain lifelong connections with their adopted families.

Today, I am honored to collaborate with Loren Dribinsky and Paula Sanderson as we preserve the Icelandic Sheepdog breed through a thoughtful and responsible breeding program. My role as a board member of the National Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue Alliance (NISRA) reinforces my deep commitment to the breed’s future.

I firmly believe that nature possesses immense healing potential, enhancing lives through the unique bond humans share with animals. It is my passion to educate others about these profound therapeutic benefits, drawing upon the invaluable lessons animals continually offer in patience, presence, and adaptability. Each animal in my care is a source of joy, inspiration, and illumination, enriching not only my life but the lives of everyone they meet.

As an animal lover, I have always been actively involved in rescuing dogs and cats.  Since 1978, our family has welcomed over 16 rescue cats and dogs to their forever home. I met my first Icelandic Sheepdog, Gryla, in 2004 and soon after became involved with breeding through my sister, Elaine. Since then, I have welcomed five Icies into our family with one being a rehome. Their friendliness, loyalty and eagerness to please has given me opportunities to train and certify to CGC and CGCA levels as well as Therapy Dog.  When NISRA was formed and Elaine and Jo-Ann Secondino created Icetoberfest as a way to support NISRA and I volunteered to help with various activities throughout each weekend. I met those involved with NISRA and created the Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue calendar with Elaine as a yearly fundraising activity.

In 2023, NISRA needed to updated its digital presence with a comprehensive website format. Having a background in IT, databases and process development and a love of all things Icelandic Sheepdog, I volunteered to help create a structured rescue process from initial contact through transfer of ownership.

There is always more work to be done but after a year of development, NISRA has formulated a growing list of NISRA volunteers that NISRA can reach out to for fostering and adoption.  Now, NISRA can quickly assist in rehoming a dog with the online Intake form as well as the Foster and Adoption forms.  NISRA fundraising efforts through donations are now processed through the NISRA website using PayPal or check. In the future, we hope to develop a storefront for future NISRA fundraising efforts. 

My Icelandic Sheepdog adventures began in 2003 when my family adopted a young adult female Icie who was being rehomed by her breeder, who felt that she should be bred. Struck by Gryla’s joyful nature, I became captivated by this rare breed and joined the ISAA, our breed club with a very small membership at the time. Officers of the club and the international ISD breeding community were welcoming, sharing their insights and knowledge on the ISAA chat. It became the source of many new friendships as well as a primary resource for breed information and support. In 2004, we doubled the fun, adding puppy, Misty, to our family. My sister, Dolores, and I became partners in Runestone Icelandics, producing our first litter in 2006. Our goal was to share the Icie joy, while contributing to the health of the breed by employing strategies to safeguard heatlh of the limited ISD gene pool. I currently serve on the ISAA breeding committee as chair and International Liasson and attended the 2024 & 2025 ISIC Conferences in Europe to participate in the update of international breeding recommendations & educational seminar.

In 2009, I volunteered to help with NISRA fund raising, realizing the need for establishing a safety net for our pups and their offspring. Dolores and I created the first Icelandic Sheepdog Rescue calendar, “Puppy Love”, in 2011, which was well received and with the aid of many contributions, we’ve continued to produce calendars annually through 2025, with all proceeds going to fund NISRA. I co-founded the “Icetoberfest”, an Icelandic Sheepdog weekend of fun events for owners, fanciers & their dogs, which was a huge undertaking that continued successfully for 7 years, under the direction of Jo Ann Secondino, generating significant funding for NISRA.

In 2023 I joined the NISRA BOD to collaborate on revising the website in an effort to streamline the rescue process. In the spring of 2025, I took the lead on the case of a Texas shelter Ice-alike and navigated the prescribed rescue protocol for foster homes, evaluation, volunteers and transportation, culminating in adoption. With the expert advice of Gabi Vannini (foster home/evaluator) and the assistance of the NISRA BOD, Sheba was placed in a loving forever home. This was a successful and gratifying experience that made me proud to be part of NISRA.

Moriah joined the NISRA Board of Directors in October of 2023. She is a lifelong animal lover, having grown up around dogs, cats, horses, chickens, sheep, and more. In addition to NISRA, she assists with feline trap/neuter/release efforts in her city, and as a result has accumulated four beloved indoor cats and two outdoor “community” cats. She lives in Michigan with her husband, their 2 dogs, and the cats. In her free time she enjoys reading, baking, and spending time outside walking the dogs, gardening, and horseback riding.”

I first met Icelandic Sheepdogs in 2006 while picking up Icelandic Sheep. I was drawn to their happy liveliness and intelligent demeanor. I loved the way they liked to “hang out” with their owners and be involved with whatever was happening. This was the beginning of my love affair with this special breed. 

A year later, our first Icie, “Laki”, came from Canada to our little farm in Michigan. “Vera” soon followed; her grandmother was the Icie I fell in love with. A few years later, “Elva” arrived from Germany. These are my foundation dogs. Along the way, these dogs got me involved in various sports. Herding, dock diving, lure coursing, trick training, conformation, barn hunt and especially agility. I have met many amazing people since getting involved with Icelandic Sheepdogs.  People all over the world are passionate about these dogs.

I love this breed and can’t imagine having any other.  I have an interest in rescue because I feel strongly that if you produce a dog, you should be responsible for it throughout its life. This extends out to the greater Icelandic Sheepdog community because sometimes things happen, and breeders are not able to take responsibility for their puppies. Also, suspected Icies turn up in shelters on rare occasions and need help with placement. I am honored to belong to an organization that wants to reach out and help Icelandic Sheepdogs in need.